Alpa Esse Information, Review, Specs

The Alpa Esse, designed by Alpa Yachts founder D. Cattadori, was a product of the shipyard's pioneering era in fiberglass boat construction, with its production spanning from 1968 to 1978. Danilo Cattadori, known for his passion for crafting models, brought this ingenuity directly into his work in the marine industry, making Alpa one of the first shipyards in Europe to adopt fiberglass as a primary building material. The Alpa Esse, classified as a centerboard dinghy, reflects Alpa's commitment to creating well-designed, innovative vessels even in smaller sizes. Its design as a fractional sloop aimed to deliver a high-performance experience, aligning with Alpa's reputation for quality fiberglass sailing boats 2, 3, Builder Article.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of just over 15 feet (15.42 ft) and a waterline length of 14.3 feet, the Alpa Esse is characterized by its ultralight displacement of 209 pounds, suggesting a highly responsive and agile vessel. Its fractional sloop rig is typical for performance-oriented dinghies, providing good sail control and upwind efficiency. A key feature is its centerboard keel, which allows for a variable draft from a shallow 0.5 feet when retracted to 3.2 feet when fully extended. This versatile keel configuration enables the Alpa Esse to navigate very shallow waters or be easily beached, while also providing improved stability and pointing ability when deployed for sailing. The boat is described as a very high performer, though with low righting capability if capsized, which is common for such lightweight, performance-focused dinghies. Its theoretical hull speed is calculated at 5.07 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

As a small, performance-oriented dinghy designed primarily for day sailing and regattas, the Alpa Esse features a minimal interior focused on its sailing function rather than extensive accommodations. Its compact dimensions, with a beam of 5.25 feet and an ultralight displacement, do not allow for significant enclosed living spaces. While specific interior layouts are not detailed in available reviews, it is typical for boats of this size to offer little more than a small cuddy cabin for basic storage or shelter, rather than dedicated berths, galleys, or heads. The hull and deck are constructed of solid fiberglass, consistent with Alpa's reputation for robust and innovative fiberglass construction during its production era.